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Gender Gaps in Property Ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Gaddis,Isis
  • Lahoti,Rahul Suresh
  • Li,Wenjie

Abstract

Women's ownership, use, and control over property matter for their well-being and agency and can influence outcomes for the second generation -- women's daughters and sons. Additionally, gender gaps in property ownership induce allocative inefficiencies and foregone economic output, thus having economywide implications. This paper uses data for 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to shine a spotlight on gaps between men and women in land and housing (property) ownership and analyze patterns across and within countries. The results indicate that men are about three times as likely as women to claim sole ownership over property. Gender gaps are smaller if joint ownership is taken into consideration, but still materially disadvantage women. Men are significantly more likely to own property than women even after controlling for a host of other factors. This paper is an important step toward a better understanding of gender gaps in property ownership in Africa and outlines an agenda for future data collection and analytic efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaddis,Isis & Lahoti,Rahul Suresh & Li,Wenjie, 2018. "Gender Gaps in Property Ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8573, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8573
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    Cited by:

    1. Henderson, J. Vernon & Liu, Vivian, 2023. "Urban land markets and city development: Sub-Saharan Africa," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119388, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Genicot, Garance & Hernandez-de-Benito, Maria, 2022. "Women’s land rights and village institutions in Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    3. Li, Chao & Sun, Daoming, 2023. "Women’s bargaining power and spending on children’s education: Evidence from a natural experiment in China," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    4. Musiliu Okesina, 2022. "Why Does Microfinance Target Women? Empirical Evidence from Nigeria," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 14(2), pages 246-264, May.
    5. Carmen de Paz & Miriam Muller & Ana Maria Munoz Boudet & Isis Gaddis, 2020. "Gender Dimensions of the COVID-19 Pandemic," World Bank Publications - Reports 33622, The World Bank Group.
    6. Eileen B. Nchanji & Odhiambo A. Collins & Enid Katungi & Agness Nduguru & Catherine Kabungo & Esther M. Njuguna & Chris O. Ojiewo, 2020. "What Does Gender Yield Gap Tell Us about Smallholder Farming in Developing Countries?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Djuikom, Marie Albertine & van de Walle, Dominique, 2022. "Marital status and women’s nutrition in Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    8. Kotikula, Aphichoke & Raza, Wameq Azfar, 2021. "Housing ownership Gender differences in Dhaka, Bangladesh," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    9. Joireman, Sandra F. & Tchatchoua-Djomo, Rosine, 2023. "Post-conflict restitution of customary land: Guidelines and trajectories of change," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

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